Collins (23) will play at fullback for the Auckland-based side in Melbourne tomorrow night.
The Taieri man has impressed in pre-season and gets a start in the Blues side along with the likes of centre Rieko Ioane and halfback Augustine Pulu.
The Blues will be looking to start the season well in a year they are expecting big things with new signings. It is their second season under new coach Tana Umaga.
Meanwhile, former Highlanders assistant coach Kieran Keane has signed a deal with Irish club Connacht.
Keane is the latest New Zealand mind to head overseas.
He has signed a three-year deal to coach Irish Pro12 side Connacht and will link up with it at the end of the Super Rugby season. Keane coached for the first two years under Jamie Joseph’s reign at the Highlanders in 2011-12 before moving on.
He linked with the Chiefs two seasons ago but, after being passed over as the next head coach of the Chiefs late last year with Colin Cooper winning the role, he looked elsewhere.
He worked in defence with the Highlanders and also coached provincial side Tasman for many years.